'Til We Meet Again - Crowley x Reader

Chapter 48

11 minutes to the End of the World

As the ground quaked beneath them, a brilliant burst of lightning illuminated the sky behind the group, casting a disorienting radiance over the landscape. Startled by the sudden display, Crowley instinctively clutched Y/N's hand, seeking to protect her and offer reassurance amid the celestial chaos.

From the blinding bolt of lightning, two formidable beings materialised, each emerging from their respective elements. The Supreme Archangel Gabriel, angelic and resplendent, stepped forth from the lightning strike with an air of authority. Beelzebub, the Lord of Flies, manifested in a flash of consuming fire, a sinister presence radiating malevolence.

Upon recognising one another, Gabriel and Beelzebub exchanged a curt nod and began a synchronised approach toward the group. The tension in the air was palpable, and the confrontation appeared imminent.

Crowley, aware of the animosity the demon held for him, decided to take the initiative. He performed a shallow, mocking bow accompanied by a theatrical flourish of his hand. "Lord Beelzebub!" he greeted with feigned warmth and respect.

Beelzebub's reply was far from warm; their voice seemed to buzz with a disconcerting, fly-like quality. "Crowley. The Traitor." they sneered at the red-haired demon.

Crowley adopted a casual and somewhat flippant tone as he replied, "That's not a nice word."

Beelzebub, their disdain evident, retorted, "All the other words I have for you are worse."

Amid this exchange, Gabriel noticed the presence of Y/N, and his demeanour shifted. He squinted at her, recognition dawning on his features.

"Y/N? You've been missing for centuries. We all thought you'd met a fiery demise. Good riddance, we thought," he commented, his tone as sanctimonious as ever.

Beelzebub, now curious, turned their attention to Y/N. Their posture shifted subtly as their dark eyes locked onto her. "Satan's been searching for you," they revealed, their voice betraying a mix of surprise and annoyance. "For centuries now. You were meant to go to Hell when you were outcast."

Y/N smiled and confidently replied, "Well, you can stop searching. Here I am."

Unperturbed by Y/N's presence, Beelzebub's attention shifted to the more pressing matter at hand. "Where's the boy?"

Without a word, Crowley nodded discreetly in the direction of Adam, who was observing the exchange with a mix of uncertainty and defiance.

Gabriel and Beelzebub approached Adam, their intentions clear. Gabriel initiated the conversation, trying to persuade the boy with a voice steeped in authority. "Hi. Young man... Armageddon must... restart. Right now."

Gabriel and Beelzebub tried to persuade him, their voices laden with persuasion and urgency. "The battle must be decided now." Gabriel insisted.

"That is your destiny. It is written." Beelzebub stated, their voice words buzzing maliciously.

Y/N, however, wasn't going to let her nephew be swayed so easily. She moved closer to Adam, placing her hands reassuringly on his shoulders. Her gaze was unwavering as she locked eyes with Gabriel and Beelzebub, silently daring them to approach.

Adam, feeling the strength and love emanating from Y/N, stood his ground and calmly refused, "No, I'm not going to start the war."

In the grand cosmic showdown, the fate of the world teetered in the balance, and it all hinged on the young Antichrist, Adam, who stood before two imposing figures – Gabriel and Beelzebub.

Beelzebub leaned closer to Adam, their voice oozing with persuasive intent. "Your birth, your destiny, they're part of the Great Plan."

Gabriel, in agreement, added, "It's all part of the grand design. You can't refuse to be who you are."

Adam, however, remained steadfast, refusing to play his destined role.

Crowley, Aziraphale, and Y/N exchanged knowing glances, recognising the pivotal moment. Aziraphale stepped forward, positioning himself beside Adam and Y/N. "Is this 'Great Plan' you're referring to the same as the ineffable one?" he inquired, his voice resolute.

"Aziraphale, maybe you should just keep your mouth shut!" Gabriel snapped at Aziraphale, unwilling to entertain his question.

Seeing Aziraphale's subtle approach, Crowley saw an opportunity and stepped forward on the other side of Y/N and Adam. He addressed Gabriel and Beelzebub, his voice tinged with sly scepticism. "You don't know," he began, his words carrying a note of challenge. "Uh... Well, it'd be a pity if you'd thought you were doing what the Great Plan said, but you were actually going directly against God's Ineffable Plan."

Y/N chimed in, her voice carrying the weight of divine knowledge. "By definition, the ineffable plan is, well, ineffable. It's unknown, even to us," she stated with a knowing smile. "Only God knows the true ineffable plan, and, believe me, if anyone would know, it would have been me. After all, I was God's most trusted angel."

With his usual air of self-importance, Gabriel stated, "God does not play games with the universe."

Crowley, looking at Gabriel with a perplexed expression and a hint of judgement in his eyes, couldn't help himself. "Where have you been?" he retorted.

Gabriel and Beelzebub exchanged uneasy glances. Crowley, Aziraphale, and Y/N had sown the seeds of doubt, leaving the higher-ranking celestial beings questioning the infallibility of the Great Plan, perhaps for the very first time.

The two leaders eventually stepped aside, huddling together to have a private conversation. Their murmured words remained hidden from the ears of those nearby, their expressions in flux as they processed the revelation.

"I'm going to need to, um, talk to head office," Gabriel stated his tone a mix of frustration and uncertainty. His expression was grim. "How I am supposed to get 10 million angels to stand down from their war footing is... It doesn't bear thinking about." he lamented. The weight of the situation weighed heavily on him.

Beelzebub, equally daunted, sighed, "You should try to get 10 million demons to put down their weapons and go back to work."

Turning back to face Y/N, Adam, Aziraphale, and Crowley, Gabriel exclaimed with a hint of annoyance, "Well, at least we now know whose fault it is!"

Y/N, Crowley, and Aziraphale couldn't help but smile, waving at the two bewildered beings who had contemplated the very apocalypse just moments before.

Once more, Gabriel and Beelzebub approached young Adam. Gabriel's tone was stern as he said, "Young man... you were put on this Earth for one reason and one reason only - to end it. You're a disobedient little brat. And I hope someone tells your father."

Beelzebub's voice held a warning as they chimed in, "Oh, they will. And your father will not be pleased."

With that, the high-ranking angel and demon vanished, leaving the group of friends, human and celestial, to contemplate the repercussions of their actions and the ineffable mysteries that continued to shape their world.